Five undrafted rookies with an opportunity to make an impact

Former Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis scores a 100 yard touchdown on a missed field goal attempt during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

With rookie mini-camps underway around the NFL, hundreds of rookies that weren’t drafted will attempt to impress their new coaches. Some will succeed. Others will be released by the team.

Only a few will actually contribute next year.

Yesterday, the Q wrote about LB Shayne Skov and how he could potentially develop into a starter for the 49ers despite not being drafted. Today, we’ll highlight five more undrafted rookies who could make an impact next season:

Antonio Andrews, RB Titans

The Titans could find themselves with two rookie running backs at the top of the team’s depth depth chart.

Over the past two seasons, only one running back — Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey — at the highest level of college football ran for more yards than Andrews. The former quarterback recorded 3,458 yards. His 3,161 all-purpose yards in 2012 were the most in school history and the second-highest total in FBS history.

Chris Davis, CB Chargers

Davis will forever be known as the savior of the Auburn Tigers’ 2013 season. Davis returned a field-goal attempt 109 yards against rival Alabama to win the game and push the Tigers into the SEC Championship Game.

That specific play exemplifies how Davis can help San Diego this season.

Davis, a starting cornerback for the Tigers, was on the field during special teams and made a play when it needed to be made. The play showed Davis’ potential as a kick returner. He was already the team’s top punt returner. Davis’ ability to do both will allow the Chargers to take Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead off those units, if they choose to do so.

Also, the primary need for the Chargers entering the draft was at cornerback. The team did so in the first round by selecting TCU’s Jason Verrett, but he was the team’s only draft pick at the position. Davis will compete to become one of the team’s top cornerbacks.

Jeffcoat received the highest grade of any player that wasn’t drafted. He was tied for third in major college football with 13 sacks. He was also named the Ted Hendricks Award winner as college football’s best defensive end. Jeffcoat even surprised at the NFL combine in Indianapolis by finishing Top 5 among defensive linemen in four of the six events in which he participated.

Marcus Lucas, WR Panthers

During free agency, the Panthers lost three of their top four receivers. The organization then released the team’s all-time leading receiver, Steve Smith, who quickly signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

The team acquired three rookie receivers to fill the void. The Panthers selected Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin in the first round of the draft. Lucas and Ohio State’s Corey Brown were signed after the draft.

At 6-4 and 218 pounds, Lucas is bigger than the rest of those receivers. He could form an intimidating duo opposite the 6-5, 240-pound Benjamin. Lucas was Missouri’s best receiver in stretches last season. If he can become more consistent he has the potential to develop into a starter.

Willie Snead IV, WR Browns

The Browns’ top target, Josh Gordon, is potentially facing a season-long suspension. The organization recently released veteran Greg Little. The team’s top four targets entering the season — Miles Austin, Earl Bennett, Andrew Hawkins and Nate Burleson — weren’t members of the Browns a year ago.

Needless to say, there is an opportunity for a young wide receiver to step up and earn playing time.

Snead finished third at the FBS level with 1,516 receiving yards in 2013. He was tied for sixth in receptions with 106th.

Snead isn’t the fastest or biggest receiver (5-11, 195), but he can win at the NFL level with his length and reliability. Snead had the second biggest hands (10 1/4) among wide receivers at the combine, and his arm length was 33 inches. The only receivers with longer arms were at least four inches taller than Snead.